Metabolic services of intestinal microbiota of swine: metabolism of carbohydrates and bile salts

Vertebrate animals are holobionts and their physiology and metabolism are influenced by their commensal microbiota. Gut microbiota and their metabolites play a key role in the host defense against pathogenic microorganisms, shape the immune system, and impact the resistance to chronic disease. The metabolic activity of intestinal microbiota contributes significantly to the conversion of diet components to molecules that can be absorbed and metabolized by the host. The metabolic capacity of the intestinal microbiota by far exceeds the metabolic capacity of the hosts. Collectively, gut microbes support the digestion of the major nutrients, i.e. carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and impact uptake and conversion of micronutrients, e.g. phenolic compounds and minerals. This chapter provides an overview on the metabolism of carbohydrates and bile salts by pig microbiota.

The Comparison of the Dietary Intake Loss Between Elderly and Non-Elderly Patients After Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background/Aim The present study quantified the changes in the dietary and nutritional intake after gastrectomy between elderly and non-elderly patients. Patients and Methods This prospective observational study enrolled patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Results Twenty-three patients ≥ 75 years old were classified into the elderly group, and 127 patients < 75 years old were classified into the non-elderly group. The respective median % dietary intake losses at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were −12.4% and −5.3% in the elderly group and −8.3% and −2.8% in the non-elderly group (p = 0.075 and 0.080). On comparing the intake loss of three major nutrients, the respective median % lipid intake losses at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were −13.5% and −5.8% in the elderly group and −7.3% and 0% in the non-elderly group (p = 0.029 and 0.045). Conclusion Our results suggested that elderly patients experienced more serious lipid intake loss after gastrectomy than non-elderly patients.

Statistical Indices of Land Use Changes and Nutrients Balance of Tomatoes and Peppers Production in Jordan Valley and Highlands (1999-2019)

Climate change has caused pressure on water resources in Jordan. This was accompanied by the Syrian refugee crisis during the period 2009 to 2019. This descriptive study was conducted in the University of Debrecen, during the years 2020 and 2021 within the course of sustainable land use by collecting official statistical data from reliable sources in Jordan on the production of tomato, pepper, and paprika during five years 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019 to compare the change in land use, crop sown structure, country production, unit area average yield and estimation of unit area pollution with major nutrients. The study showed an increased land used for the production of vegetables by (+ 37.84%) during the period from 2004 to 2014, high productivity per hectare for three crops from 2014 to 2019. Jordan had the highest tomato and paprika crop yields in 2014. The reason is due to the increase in the local and global demand for these crops along with other reasons, which have promoted the use of mass production agricultural techniques, the most important of which is chemical fertilization. Which caused the accumulation of phosphorus and potassium in soils.

The Comparison of the Dietary Intake Loss Between Elderly and Non-elderly Patients after Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background/Aim: The present study quantified the changes in the dietary and nutritional intake after gastrectomy between elderly and non-elderly patients. Patients and Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Results: 23 patients ≥75 years old were classified into the elderly group, and127 patients <75 years old were classified into the non-elderly group. The respective median % dietary intake losses at one and three months postoperatively were -12.4% and -5.3% in the elderly group and -8.3% and -2.8% in the non-elderly group (p=0.075 and 0.080). On comparing the intake loss of three major nutrients, the respective median % lipid intake losses at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were -13.5% and -5.8% in the elderly group and -7.3% and 0% in the non-elderly group (p=0.029 and 0.045). Conclusion: Our results suggested that elderly patients experienced more serious lipid intake loss after gastrectomy than non-elderly patients.

The Comparison of the Effects between Continuous and Intermittent Energy Restriction in Short-Term Bodyweight Loss for Sedentary Population: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare the effects of continuous energy restriction (CER) and intermittent energy restriction (IER) in bodyweight loss plan in sedentary individuals with normal bodyweight and explore the influence factors of effect and individual retention. Methods: 26 participants were recruited in this randomized controlled and double-blinded trial and allocated to CER and IER groups. Bodyweight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and resting metabolic rate (RMR) would be collected before and after a 4-week (28 days) plan which included energy restriction (CER or IER) and moderate-intensity exercise. Daily intake of three major nutrients (protein, carbohydrate, fat) and calories were recorded. Results: A significant decrease in BW and BMI were reported within each group. No statistically significant difference in the change of RMR in CERG. No statistically significant difference was reported in the effect between groups, neither as well the intake of total calories, three major nutrients, and individual plan retention. The influence factors of IER and CER are different. Conclusion: Both CER and IER are effective and safe energy restriction strategies in the short term. Daily energy intake and physical exercise are important to both IER and CER.

Nutritional and Fungal Load Dynamics of Fresh Brewers’ Grain Stored Under Aerobic Conditions

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is the amplest by-product of the brewing process. Fresh BSG is currently used as low-cost cattle feed due to its microbiological instability and high perishability. While recent research has looked the effects of storage time and temperature on the characteristics of wet brewers grains (WBG) as ruminant feeds. Three storage temperatures (15°C, 20°C, and 25°C) and periods (2, 4 and 6 days) were arranged in a 3×3 factorial design. Surface spoilage was not apparent at 15 °C throughout the storage periods. Deterioration was not also observed at 20 °C until the fourth day of storage where slight mold growth was apparent. Extensive mold growth was detected late in the sixth day at 20° C and continued manifestations up until the last day of storage at 25°C. Changes in major nutrients, DM losses, and yeast and mold colony count were significantly affected by the interaction of storage temperatures and durations (P<0.05). Except for samples stored at 15° C, nutrients contents decreased concomitantly (exceptions are ADF, lignin, and loss in DM) with prolonged storage times (p<0.05) and increasing temperatures (p<0.05). Contrast analysis indicated that it would be safe to store under aerobic storage conditions and feed the WBG for dairy cattle.

Cell-extrinsic autophagy in mature adipocytes regulates anti-inflammatory response to intestinal tissue injury through lipid mobilization

Autophagy is a critical cellular recycling pathway which is genetically linked to the development of intestinal inflammation in humans. Inflammation drives adipose tissue breakdown and provision of major nutrients such as free fatty acids (FFA). However, the effect of autophagy-mediated FFA release by adipocytes in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases remains unexplored. In a mouse model of intestinal inflammation, we found that visceral adipocytes upregulate autophagy at peak inflammation. Adipocyte-specific loss of the key autophagy gene Atg7 (Atg7Ad) resulted in the exacerbation of intestinal inflammation. TNFα-induced lipolysis was impaired in Atg7-deficient adipocytes leading to the reduced availability of several FFA species, and decreased expression of the FFA transporter CD36 on adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs). Visceral adipose tissues from Atg7Ad mice released less IL-10 resulting in lower levels of circulating IL-10 in colitis. ATMs present the main source of adipose tissue-derived IL-10 during colitis. In vitro assays confirmed that FFA restriction from macrophages reduced CD36 expression and diminished IL-10 production. Taken together, our study demonstrates that autophagy-mediated FFA release from adipocytes directs anti-inflammatory responses in ATMs, which in turn conveys protective effects for distant intestinal inflammation.

Estimation of major nutrients in dry dog foods and their compliance with nutritional guidelines

The aim of this study was to estimate complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with a particular focus on the nutritional value with respect to current nutritional guidelines for dogs, dietary fiber fractions, the division into breed size. Dog foods were subjected to chemical analyzes to determine the content of basic nutrients and dietary fiber fractions. The material for the research consisted of 15 maintenance foods for adult dogs (five for large breed dogs, five for small breed dogs and five for all breeds dogs). All analyzed feeds met the European Pet Food Industry Federation recommended minimum recommended levels of protein and fat. Individual tested foods were characterized by different levels of dietary fiber fractions, such as acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose (CEL), hemicellulose (HCEL). The group of foods for small breed dogs was characterized by the lowest mean of ME (391.23 kcal per 100 g DM). A higher level of ME (393.99 kcal per 100 g DM) was observed in the group of foods for dogs of large breeds, and the highest (397.05 kcal per 100 g DM) – in the group of foods for dogs of all breeds.

Study on the Soil Fertility and Mapping in Ramasamudram-1 Microwatershed of Yadgir Taluk and District of Karnataka, India

An investigation was under taken to study the soil fertility status of major nutrients, micronutrients and mapping in Ramasamudram-1 microwatershed of Yadgir taluk and district of Karnataka, India during the year 2019. Total seventy-four grid wise surface soil samples were collected at 320 m grid interval at 0-15 cm depth to assess the soil parameters (texture, pH, EC, OC, available P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B) and prepare the soil fertility maps through GIS using Kriging method. The results of the study indicated that, the texture of the soil varied from loamy sand to sand clay loam in surface. Soil reaction varied from acidic to neutral with non-saline in nature. The distribution of soil organic carbon (32%), available phosphorous (56%) and potassium (47%) status was found to be medium in most of the area of microwatershed. The available sulphur status was found to be low (57%) in maximum area of the microwatershed. The available zinc status was found to be sufficient (46%) in majority area of the microwatershed. The available copper, iron and manganese status of the soils were sufficient (58%) in entire area. Whereas available boron status was found to be low (57%) in maximum area of the microwatershed. Therefore, the study showed that, the soils of the microwatershed were medium in fertility status. There is need of proper fertilizer recommendation and soil management practices can be made productive thereby, increasing the crop yield.